Most herbal books will tell you that the marsh mallow plant’s (Althea officinalis) moist and soothing medicinal uses can alleviate dry cough, sore throats, skin irritation, mild stomach lining inflammation, and skin inflammations. It is indeed a powerful herbal remedy used to heal wounds.
- Cold-infusion – easy way to go
- How to grow the plant?
- Cute pink little flowers in the landscape
- How to harvest the roots of the Marsh Mallow plants
- Where do I buy them?
- Precautions
- Simple Marsh Mallow Root Recipe
- Marshmallow and pets
- Giving credit to the herbalists
- MORE HAPPY HERBAL RECIPES IN THE LINK HERE!
Cold-infusion – easy way to go
The perennial herb marshmallow symbolizes cold and dampness and can soothe irritations of the mucous membranes. For example, when my stomach reacts to spicy food, I choose to make a cold infusion with marshmallow. It’s a cost-effective and an efficient solution. You can use the whole plant, but the marshmallow root is more potent. When put in water, it turns into a gel with soothing demulcent properties in a couple of hours.
I take joy in preparing nourishing meals for my family and creating remedies for everyone’s well-being. Finding a good beneficial medicinal herb, is something I am really proud, and I can tell you that the Marsh mallow plants is my friend when I feel too hot or dry.
How to grow the plant?
I purchased my first package of marsh mallow seeds from Mountain Rose Herbs and never looked back. If you do that, make sure that the marshmallow seeds are labeled althaea officinalis marsh mallow because it’s the more potent of the common mallow family. I planted the seed pod in early spring, and they started thriving in the same summer. Since then, they self-seed in my border every year, adding to the beauty of bloom season. In my moist Ohio climate, marshmallow plants thrive and reproduce quickly, making them a joy to grow. They prefer full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. I adore their beautiful gray-green leaves, which are incredibly soft and resemble a little duvet.
Cute pink little flowers in the landscape
Marshmallow is a perennial plant that butterflies and bees love. Be aware that it grows quite large; it is majestuous. It could reach 4-5 feet in height. Marshmallow plants are pretty resilient in marshy, damp areas. As you see in the picture, they have cute white flowers (some marshmallow plants also have pale pink flowers). The pollinators just adore them.
As you can see, I put them in the back of one of my flower beds near a ditch (because of the moist soil) and they thrive and look good as an ornamental plant. Because of a high percentage of mucilage in the roots (35%) marsh mallow plants soothe and heal inflammation, ulcers, sore throat, and dry skin.
How to harvest the roots of the Marsh Mallow plants
I use the marshmallow root for medicinal purposes; I also read that you can use it as a sweet treat. European or African folks made the first marshmallow confection as a candy using egg whites and sugar. I prefer to dig a portion of the root for its medicinal properties. In the fall, dig the marshmallow roots of your plant, clean them thoroughly, cut them right away into little slices, and dry them to use later. The dried root can be stored in a mason jar for one year. It can be decocted or cold-infused as marshmallow root tea. This demulcent makes a wonderful addition to herbal syrups, infusion blends, and body care creations.
Where do I buy them?
I shop and learn so much at the Mountain Rose Herbs website. They have great information on the herbs that you buy. Here are some helpful things I learned about marshmallows from them.
“In Ayurveda, the root was used to reduce vata (dry constitutional type) and increase kapha (wet constitutional type). It was considered to be energetically cold, sweet tasting, and moistening. The mucilage content in the root varies greatly and is generally highest in fall and winter and is therefore best to harvest during these times.” 1
Precautions
“Should be taken with at least 250mL (8 oz) of liquid. Orally administered drugs should be taken 1 hour before use or several hours after, as marshmallows may slow the absorption. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.” 2
Simple Marsh Mallow Root Recipe
This herbal medicine makes a wonderful addition to tea, herbal cough syrups, infusion blends, and body care creations. Here are examples of medicinal plant recipes
Marsh Mallow Root Cold Infusion
Marshmallow root is best extracted in cold water. This infusion can be drunk, used as a hair wash or rinse, or blended with an herbal salve to create a moisturizing cream. The cold infusion supports a healthy digestive system and urinary tract!
Ingredients
- Between 2-10 grams Marsh Mallow Root dried or fresh
- 1 cup of Water
Instructions
- Add the marsh mallow roots to a mason jar
- Pour cold water over the top and steep for 4 hours up to 24.
- Use right away or store in a refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Marshmallow and pets
My puppy, Happy, thinks she’s an herbalist! She eats everything in the garden: leaves, flowers, and roots. Because of that, if I grow something, I must research to ensure it’s safe for dogs. She enjoys cutting the plants into little pieces, and sometimes, she puts them in her kiddie pool, which is probably her version of a cold infusion! It’s quite amusing to watch her. Recently, I discovered a veterinarian who is also a clinical herbalist and a naturopath. His name is Dr. Patrick Jones. Here’s a video where he explains how most medicinal herbs are safe for our pets.
Giving credit to the herbalists
To clarify the information that I am sharing, please understand that I am an herb lover, not an herbalist. My herb garden is full of innovations, and my findings are based on my research and my family’s experiments. I am now studying at Flora Medicina to sharpen my knowledge of herb plants. Above all, I try to gather and popularize information to grow an understanding together. Please leave me your opinion in the comments, and we can learn together. I am a big believer in herbs and nature and would love your opinion on herbal medicine.
I find marshmallow infusion delicious. It’s a great way to soothe many of the problems that come up in our modern lives. It beautifully weaves its way into both the household kitchen and the herbal pantry. Here’s to the marshmallow!
You should be assured that I have tried all the recipes. And I will continue to try more. I heard there are a couple of herbal cough syrups that you can try. Next time, I will share it with you. Multiple references to excellent herbalists are added at the end of the post to let you know my favorite ones. Please buy their books and go read their websites; I respect their immense knowledge.. For more clarification on Marsh Mallow Root Tea, please listen to this video from the herbalist Rosalee de La Forêt. She is so good!
MORE HAPPY HERBAL RECIPES IN THE LINK HERE!
This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. See my disclosure documents HERE.
References
McVicar, Jekka, (2012), Jekka’s Herb Cookbook, by Firefly Books
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